Hinduphobia, a Real Phobia

Hinduism (properly called Sanātana Dharma; Eternal Truth/Path/Way) has long intrigued the West and many including many within Hinduism are misinformed or confused about various aspects of Hinduism. Hinduism is typically stereotyped as a Tribal cult of some sort, bereft of any spiritual substance, indulging in Idolatry, Casteism, etc., and steeped in blind beliefs/customs. This stereotype has been promoted, perhaps out of ignorance, by both the Media and the education systems in the West over the past several decades resulting in a prejudiced understanding of Hinduism. With the advent of a large Hindu diaspora making their presence felt in all walks of life in the West, Hinduphobia has taken root in the West based on the warped understanding of Hinduism leading to Hindumisia as well. Also, in India itself Hinduphobia and Hindumisia have been long-standing issues, especially among people of other religions and this site is aimed at them as well as the global humanity.

Phobia = Irrational fear or aversion

Is the fear/aversion of Hinduism irrational (i.e., a real/true phobia)?

Yes, as should be evident from a study of the materials presented on this site.

Should I simply take your word?

No. It is for everyone to educate/inform themselves beyond the stereotypical (mis)understanding and come to a conclusion as they may.

Hindus don’t hide behind a label

No thought suppression!

Hindus don’t simply cry “Hinduphobia” and hide behind the label because that would be unfair and would very much go against the grain of what it means to be a Hindu. Rather, Hindus aim to address Hinduphobia, be it in regard to misconceptions such as Caste or Polytheism or Idolatry or anything else that might concern/intrigue anyone, by providing requisite information and encouraging open/public discussion of these to prove that it’s a Phobia, rather than hiding behind the Hinduphobia label at the first mention of any element of Hinduism and suppressing thought. In other words, when knowledgeable Hindus notice Hinduphobia, they are able and willing to discuss the sources of the phobia with the requisite information/knowledge and open/free discussion rather than forceful suppression of any discussion/thought with threats of blasphemy, etc.

Indeed, free and open discussion has been integral to Hinduism from ancient times which is why there are umpteen number of schools of thought/practice within Hinduism, all peacefully/respectfully coexisting and accepting of one another.

How is Hinduphobia manifest?

The below are some of the sites/articles that should shed some light on the ways it is manifest:

Hinduphobia – Hindu American Foundation

Understanding Hinduphobia

Anti-Hindu sentiment

Hindumisia.ai: The Global Anti-Hindu Scorecard ®

A barrier to inter-faith understanding

Even in places Hinduphobia isn’t manifest actively, it forms a barrier to inter-faith understanding which is sorely needed for world peace and harmony.

Hinduism is about Universal Family!

Sanātana Dharma (Eternal Truth/Path/Way) aka Hinduism is Universal/non-sectarian and holds that all good everywhere is from the ONE Spiritual-Supreme/God and that all names including Bhagavān that Hindus use for Spiritual-Supreme/God connote ONE Spiritual-Supreme/God in ultimate reference and further that anyone anywhere can approach the Spiritual-Supreme/God in the best non-exclusive/free way known to them (be it an Image/Deity form, nature, etc.) and the Spiritual-Supreme/God will reciprocate. Hindus further hold that all living entities are equal as spirit souls (sarvatra-sama-darśana) and belong to the Spiritual-Supreme/God and thus constitute one world/universal family in accordance with the Vedic maxim Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Hinduphobia Elements

Caste

Of all the various sources of Hinduphobia, this is the most serious since it involves one’s outlook towards and treatment of another. What is Caste? Is it really found in Hindu texts? If not, is there something similar? Is it discriminatory? Is it hereditary? Is it hierarchical? The below article addresses these questions and more:

Caste(?) in Hinduism (includes Synopsis Sheet for general distribution on College Campuses and such)

Polytheism

Does Hinduism define multiple Gods? The below article answers this and more:

Are Hindus Polytheists?

Idolatry

Do Hindus worship Statues and Stones? To find out, checkout:

Idolatry or Deity? in Hinduism

Local Chapters/Meetings

For discussion sessions, please contact using the contact page.

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